Parson Signing Controversial Wind Power Bill

(Jefferson City, MO) A compromise effort to get the controversial $2 billion Grain Belt Express wind powered electrical transmission line through Missouri will see Governor Mike Parson sign the legislation Saturday that lets the project move forward. The new law will also increase barriers to any future similar projects. Higher regulatory benchmarks would have to be met by companies who try to use eminent domain to acquire easements from property owners who do not wish to give up their land or negotiate a price. Land prices would also be higher for companies seeking acres to use for a project. The current project is being built by Invenergy Transmission out of Chicago. The power line would carry wind energy across Missouri and Illinois hooking the energy into a power grid in Indiana for use by eastern states.